NBA Odds: L.A. Lakers vs New Orleans Hornets Preview & Pick
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Los Angeles Lakers vs. New Orleans Hornets
Date: Saturday, February 5, 8:00 p.m. ET
Venue: New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, LA
Broadcast: KCAL, CST
Lakers vs. Hornets lines from Sportsbook.com
Lakers: +3.5
Hornets: -3.5
Total: 188
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With both teams coming off losses, the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Hornets will both have added incentive to pick up a win on NBA odds when they meet Saturday night.
Los Angeles (34-16, 21-28 ATS) has really struggled over the past week or so. The Lakers lost 89-88 to the Spurs on Thursday, their third loss in four games. The Lakers failed to cover, dropping to 0-4 ATS in their last four outings. The club is just 4-5 (3-6 ATS) in its last nine games.
The offense remains inconsistent and, at times, underwhelming. In L.A.’s last five losses the team averaged just 94 points. Considering the logjam of scoring talent available, that number should be close to 100. Lately, most of the work had been left to Kobe Bryant, who was averaging 37 points (and an absurd 27 shot attempts) in the three games before playing the Spurs. Bryant was shut down by San Antonio, hitting just five of his 18 field goal attempts for 16 points.
Getting more consistency from Pau Gasol will make a big difference. The big man averaged just 16.8 points in January but, with Bryant drawing so much attention, he needs to be closer to 20-plus points per game. Gasol is at least off to a better start this month, scoring 26 and 19 points in his last two games while making 18 of his 30 field goal attempts.
It’s tough to find many positives right now, but there are a few. Andrew Bynum delivered a nice performance against the Spurs despite playing through a knee bruise. He racked up 10 points, 10 rebounds, three blocked shots and a career-high six assists.
New Orleans (32-19, 26-23-2 ATS) has also lost three of its past four games. The Hornets lost 104-93 to Oklahoma City on Wednesday, their fourth consecutive loss against the spread. The Hornets were the hottest team in the NBA just a week ago, riding a 10-game winning streak, but they’ve fallen apart on defense somewhat.
During the winning streak the Hornets allowed just 86.8 points per game. They held seven of their 10 opponents to less than 90 points. In the past three losses, though, they’ve allowed 103 points per game. Perhaps not a disastrous number, but a 16-point swing is obviously going to prove costly—and so far, it has.
Hopes for a quick turnaround are quickly being dashed by injuries. Emeka Okafor has missed back-to-back games with a strained oblique. He’s out one-to-three weeks. Trevor Ariza sprained his ankle against Oklahoma City and is questionable against the Lakers. Throw in a nagging ankle injury for Chris Paul—it forced him out of the game for a few minutes against the Thunder, and Paul finished with just 10 points and five assists—and the Hornets are quite banged up.
Losing Okafor is going to hurt New Orleans on the glass and on defense. This is just what the Lakers need; an ailing team that can be taken advantage of. Gasol should have a third straight solid game and Los Angeles will cruise to a cover.
Trends:
LAL are 11-3 ATS in their last 14 Sat. games.
Under is 27-12 in LAL last 39 overall.
Under is 13-6 in LAL last 19 road games.
NO are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 vs. NBA Pacific.
Under is 28-12 in NO last 40 overall.
Over is 9-4 in NO last 13 vs. Western Conference.
Road team is 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
Underdog is 16-5 ATS in the last 21 meetings.
Los Angeles at New Orleans pick: Lakers
Ian Van Den Hurk has covered amateur and pro sports for years, including a successful run handicapping anything from football to mixed martial arts.
